Electrolytic cell



1,476,251 R. S. HANDY ELECTROLYTIC CELL Filed Aug. 50. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet l IIHH illllllllll' Dec.. 4 1923.

Dec, 4, 1923. 1,476,251

4 R. s. H ANDY ELECTROLYT IC 4CELL Filed Aug. 50'. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @l @Ha/m Patented Dec. 4, 1923.

UNITED STATES ROYAL S. HANDY, OF KELLOGG, IDAHO.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

Application led August 30, 1922. Serial No. 585,290.

To all 'whom it may concer/rb:

Be it known that I, ROYAL S. HANDY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kellogg, county of Shoshone, and State of Idaho. have invented new and useful Improvements in Electrol tic Cells, of which the following is a speci cation.

This invention relates to an electrolytic cell and especially to that type which is employed for the precipitation of gold, silver, etc., from solutions.

The object of the present invention is to generally improve and sim lify electrolytic cells of the character descri ed; to provide a cell in which the electrodes and entire structure employed are stationary and the solution to be decomposed circulated; to provide a cathode having large contact areas over which the electrolyte or solution is passed; to provide a cell structure permitting large capacity and rapid circulation of the solution to prevent formation of gases on the surface of the cathode; to remove the metallic precipitates from the cathode as they deposit by frictional or scouring action of the circulating solution, and to separate the anodes and cathodes by means of porous diaphragms, thereb preventing contact of the circulating solution with the anode, and furthermore permitting control of conditions in the anode compartments by circulating therein suitable liquids or solutions. Other objects will hereinafter appear.

@ne form which my invention may assume is exemplified in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a central, vertical section of the electrolytic cell.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same partially in section.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section showing the manner in which the separate solutions are delivered to their respective compartments.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Fig. l', it will be seen that the electrolytic cell consists of two cylinders in.

dicated'at M and N, which enclose a cathode A B constructed of any desirable material such as steel, aluminum or the like. The cylinders M and N may similarly be constructed of any desirable nonconducting material, such as treated wood or porcelain, and these cylinders are provided with helical-shaped grooves or channels as indicated at C and D,

which are provided for the reception of anodes A, which are constructed of graphite or other insoluble material. The groove C 'is' formed on the inner face of the c linder M, while the groove D is formed on t e exterior face of the cylinder N. The grooves, however, register and form a helical path -through which the solution to be decomposed in the grooves F by wedging or b placing a rope G in the grooves i cloth is used. Again, wedges may be employed if solid porous diaphragms are used. The cathode B is cylindrical in cross section and is preferably projected above the cylinders M and N so that the electrical connection between the cathode is easy of access and ma be removable. The cylindrical cathode 1s also referably removable as are the cylinders and N. This is of importance as it renders the separate parts accessible for inspection, removal and repair. The .terminals for the anodes are passed through the cylinders M andI N as indicated at H and as such are accessible when the proper connections are made.

The purpose of the structure so far described is to provide a stationary condition of the electrodes and means for circulating the electrolyte at high velocity so as to give rapid interchange of contact with the electrodes and to scour the deposited metal from the electrodes and carry it along with the electrolyte to be deposited in a settling vat or filtered therefrom.

In actual operation of the cell the electrolyte to be decomposed is introduced at the point I under suitable pressure. It may be delivered to this point by a pump or other circulating mechanism. The electrolyte then passes in a downward direction through the helical passages formed between the diaphragms E and the cathode B under fairly high velocity which isgoverned by the presrent eflieiency by preventing the formation of hydrogen gas on the cathode yand by presentlng enormous quantities of the electr lyte to the cathode surface. Again, it will be seen that the current flow can be so regulated that the metals will be precipitated in such a form that they will be readily removed by the frictional or scouring action of the rapidly circulating solution. The electrolyte discharges at the lower end of the passages indicated at J and may be recirculated again if necessary. Means are also provided for circulating a solution between the porous diaphragms and the anodes, that is two separate compartments are formed as shown in Fig. 3, and the solution to be. cir culated in the compartments referred to is admitted through the connections 30. The solution may be supplied by a pump or otherwise and it is discharged at the lower end of the cell in a manner similar to the electrolyte circulated through the cathode chambers.

The present invention is an improvement. over that type of electrolytic cell which employs one set of stationary electrodes and another set of rotating electrodes. Electrolytic cells of this type present numerous mechanical difficulties, require considerable attention and care, while the cell disclosed in Athis invention employs stationary electrodes throughout and as such presents a structure which is exceedingly simple and compact and avoids all mechanical difticulties encountered in the type of cell-just referred to. Larger capacities of solution are also obtained by my form of cell and as all parts are removable and accessible, inspection or repair may be quickly'taken care of.

While, the present drawings show two cylinders `interspaced with relation to each other and having helical passages formed therein, I wish it understood that this particular arrangement is not absolutely necessary as straight line passages would answer as well. Further, while other features of the invention are more or less specifically illustrated, I wish it understood that various changes in form and proportion may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims, similarly that the materials and finish of the several parts employed may be such as the experience and judgment of the manufacturer may dictate or various uses ma demand.

l aving thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. An electrolytic cell comprising a cylin drical shaped housing, an inner cylindrical shaped housing concentric therewith and spaced therefrom. a helical shaped passage formed between the two cylindrical housing members, a pair of anodes disposed in said passage, a cylindrical cathode disposed between the anodes and separated therefrom, and an inlet and an outlet connection formed with said passage to permit the circulation of an electrolyte.

2. An electrolytic cell comprising an inner and an outer cylindrical shaped housing, said housings being concentrically positioned and interspaced, a cylindrical shaped cathode 'between the housing members, a porous housing enclosing the cathode, an anode exterior of the porous housing, means for circulating an electrolyte between the porous housing and the cathode, and means for circulating a solution between the porous housing and the anode.

3. An electrolytic cell comprising a pair of cylindrical housing members concentrically positioned and interspaced with relation to each other, registering helical shaped passages formed in the adjacent faces of said housing members, an anode electrode disposed in each helical passage, a cylin drical shaped cathode disposed between the anodes and the housing members, a porous housing interposed between the anodes and the cathode, means for circulating an electrolyte between the porous separators and the cathode, and means for circulating a solution between the porous separators and the anodes.

ROYAL S. HANDY. 

